╔.★. .═════════════╗

Part two, and also last part, of the
amazing Lorax Au!

╚═════════════. .★.╝

——ㆍ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨ 🍑 ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆ㆍ——

Leorio's heart skipped a beat as he heard Kurapika's voice. He turned to see the blonde-haired man descending the long, fancy stairs towards him. Kurapika's eyes widened with surprise as he noticed Leorio, and what was in his arms.

His gaze flickered between Leorio's face and the object he was holding. "Oh my god, Leorio!" Kurapika exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face.

As Kurapika's eyes fell upon the pot in Leorio's arms, disbelief filled his being. Inside was a small pot containing a real tree, its branches blossoming with lush green leaves and producing refreshing oxygen. The sight was so unexpected and splendid that Kurapika could hardly believe it. "Is that..." he breathed, his voice heavy with astonishment, "a real tree?"

Leorio's heart pounded in his chest as he noticed a crowd of people gathered at the bottom of the stairs, awaiting the birthday celebrations for Kurapika.

Leorio's eyes darted to the pot in his arms, realization dawning on him: he had unknowingly arrived at Kurapika's birthday party. Holding the precious real tree in his hands, he felt a sense of pride swelling within him. This was indeed the best present he could possibly give.

Leorio's heart skipped a beat as Kurapika excitedly exclaimed, "I could kiss you!" He was struck speechless, his cheeks flushing a deep crimson.

Dressed in a sharp dark red suit and tie, he felt the weight of Kurapika's words and the attention of the entire party. A mixture of surprise and happiness washed over him, leaving him utterly flustered.

Leorio's heart raced as Kurapika approached him, gently caressing the leaves of the real tree and meeting his gaze. Leorio's voice wavered slightly with emotion as he declared, "This gift is for you, Kurapika." He held the pot out towards Kurapika, hoping for a positive reaction.

Kurapika closed the distance between them, planting a passionate kiss on Leorio's lips. The crowd around them erupted in applause and cheers, celebrating the long awaited union of the two. Leorio's eyes widened in surprise for a brief moment before he melted into the kiss, feeling a wave of happiness wash over him. All the stress and effort he had put into finding the tree seed had finally paid off in this beautiful moment.

A moment of silence erupted from the once happy feeling Leorio had.

Leorio sat up in bed, his heart pounding and his body damp with sweat. He looked around the room, searching for any sign of Kurapika, but instead found himself alone in his bedroom.

The soft moonlight streamed in through the windows, casting shadows across the room. Leorio took deep, calming breaths, trying to shake off the vividness of the dream. Looking at his alarm clock, he groaned inwardly as he realized it was still the middle of the night. "What a bizarre dream," he muttered, rubbing his forehead.

Leorio made his way downstairs quietly, the night's silence punctuated only by the sound of his footsteps. Once in the kitchen, he filled a glass with ice cold water and lifted it to his lips. The coolness helped soothe his racing heart, and he took a moment to gaze out the window into the quiet neighborhood of Thneedville.

Leorio leaned against the countertop, sipping his glass of water. As the cool liquid refreshed him, he thought to himself, No that wasn't a weird dream, it was an amazing one.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he recalled the events of the night. He couldn't help but feel a mix of regret and longing, knowing that the dream was nothing more than a pleasant illusion.

Leorio returned to his bedroom, his mind still swirling with thoughts of the dream he had just had. He climbed back into bed and stared up at the ceiling, memories of Kurapika and the celebration from the dream fresh in his mind. He closed his eyes, attempting to recall every detail, every feeling, every touch.

Leorio's heart swelled with determination as he thought of Kurapika once more. The dream had awakened a spark within him, a newfound confidence that he couldn't ignore. As he closed his eyes, he whispered to himself, "Kurapika, I promise I will get the last tree seed and make you mine." With that promise echoing in his mind, he allowed himself to drift back to sleep, hope and anticipation filling his heart.

Leorio groaned as the sounds of digital birdsong echoed through his room, signaling the start of a new day. Reluctantly, he climbed out of bed, slipped on his slippers, and made his way downstairs to the kitchen.

The thought of a hearty breakfast gave him something to look forward to, and he tried to push the memories of the dream out of his mind for the time being.

Leorio was just about to take a bite of his delicious waffles and fruit salad when his mother's voice called out to him from the hallway. "Honey! Someone at the door is here for you!" His heart skipped a beat, and he wondered who could possibly be looking for him. Setting down his fork, he quickly got up from the table and made his way towards the front door.

As Leorio approached the front door, his heart raced with excitement. Could it be Kurapika? The thought of his longtime crush standing on the other side of the door filled him with nervous energy. He took a deep breath, attempting to compose himself.

Leorio's eyes widened in disbelief as he laid eyes on the unexpected visitor on the doorstep. It was Tonpa, the mayor of Thneedville. Leorio's heart sank, and he instinctively moved to stand beside his mother. "Tonpa?" he repeated, confusion lacing his voice.

He glanced at his mother, searching for some explanation, but her expression mirrored his own surprise. "Hello Mister Tonpa? What brings you to our lovely home?" Leorio's mom said to the mayor.

Leorio's anxiety heightened as he listened to his mother's polite greeting to Tonpa. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he anticipated Tonpa's answer. What was the mayor doing at their doorstep, and what if he had found out about Leorio's late night escapade? Leorio's heart pounded in his chest as he nervously awaited Tonpa's response.

Leorio's heart skipped a beat as Tonpa requested a private conversation with him. His mother, unaware of the anxiety coursing through her son's veins, readily agreed and stepped aside to allow them to speak in private. Leorio's mind raced with possibilities as he wondered what Tonpa could possibly want to discuss with him alone.

As Leorio's mother ascended the stairs, leaving him alone with Tonpa, his nerves skyrocketed. He swallowed hard, trying to keep his anxiety under control, as he turned to face the mayor.

The silence that followed felt ominous, and Leorio nervously fidgeted with the edge of his shirt, waiting for Tonpa to speak. It was just the two of them alone in the entryway.

"Well Leorio! It's a delight to meet you!" Tonpa's cheerful demeanor contrasted sharply with Leorio's growing unease. Leorio tried to appear polite and composed, but he could sense the underlying tension in the air.

"It's nice to meet you too, sir Tonpa," Leorio replied, mimicking the mayor's sentiments, his voice betraying the slightest hint of tension. Tonpa chuckled, a cold smile on his face, and stepped closer to Leorio.

"Why would you want to leave Thneedville?" Tonpa spoke.

Leorio's heart sank as Tonpa's tone shifted to a more serious one. He couldn't help but feel like he'd been caught, but he tried to keep his cool. "What do you mean?" he asked, feigning ignorance.

Tonpa chuckled coldly, leaning in closer. "You don't have to pretend, Leorio. I know you left Thneedville last night. Care to explain why?"

Tonpa's cold smile widened as he continued, "We've got cameras everywhere. You can't lie to me. If you do this again, you're going to have to face the music, and that means drinking the forbidden soda!"

Leorio's heart pounded louder in his chest as Tonpa confirmed that he knew about his late-night escapade. The threat of major consequences sent a shiver down his spine, and he nervously shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

Leorio's eyes widened in horror as Tonpa mentioned the forbidden orange soda. Rumors had circulated around Thneedville warned of the terrible punishment, but Leorio had never taken them too seriously.

The thought of drinking something that could burn his internal organs sent a chill down his spine. "The forbidden orange soda..." he whispered, his voice tinged with fear.

Leorio's heart throbbed with fear at the prospect of having to drink the forbidden soda, but he knew he couldn't afford to defy Tonpa outright. He nodded in agreement, trying to appear compliant, even though he had no intention of getting caught again.

Leorio understood that he would need to be more careful from now on to avoid the mayor's wrath and the dreaded orange soda. His disgust towards Tonpa grew with each passing moment.

He saw the mayor for who he truly was, a greedy, power hungry individual who cared more for money than the well being of the town and its people. Leorio knew that Thneedville needed a change, a new direction that focused on improvement and taking care of the environment.

The realization fueled his determination to fight against Tonpa and strive for a healthier and better Thneedville.

As Leorio forced himself to speak with feigned empathy, he tried to sound remorseful. "I'm really sorry, sir Tonpa," he began, his voice faltering slightly. "I guess I just wanted to explore a little bit, but I promise I won't do it again."

The mayor's cold chuckle sent chills down Leorio's spine. "You're a good kid," Tonpa replied, his voice dripping with insincerity. Leorio nervously chuckled along with him, his internal anxiety growing with each passing moment.

Tonpa made a grunting sound, signaling his departure. "Alright, I'll be taking my leave now," he said, stepping out the door. Leorio watched as the mayor walked away, a mixture of relief and dread settling over him.

"Be good, kid. Don't make me come back here," Tonpa called out over his shoulder, before disappearing down the street.

Leorio closed the door behind Tonpa and exhaled a sigh of relief. The encounter with the mayor had left him feeling shaken, but he knew he needed to stay strong for the sake of Thneedville and for Kurapika. He took a few deep breaths, trying to regain his composure, and focused his thoughts on the task ahead, finding the last tree seeds.

—— ★ ——

The day had flown by, and night had already fallen. Leorio's mom and grandma were both in their rooms, asleep. The house was quiet and peaceful, the perfect environment for Leorio to sneak out unnoticed.

The earlier encounter with Tonpa and the threat of the forbidden orange soda weighed heavily on Leorio's mind. He had realized the importance of being careful and avoiding any detection from the cameras. Leorio felt a pang of frustration as he thought about the government of Thneedville and their tight grip on the town. The realization that they were actively after him made the tall man shake in his boots.

Leorio quietly wheeled his bike out of the house, making sure not to make a sound that would wake up his sleeping family members. Once outside, he hopped on the bike and started to pedal away, careful to stay in the shadows and avoid attracting any unwanted attention from passing cameras.

As Leorio rode his bike down the street, he suddenly noticed a line of cameras placed along the sidewalk, their red lights signaling that they were actively recording. Leorio's heart skipped a beat as he quickly dismounted his bike and began smashing the cameras one by one. The broken electronics lay on the ground as

Leorio hopped back on his bike and sped through the gate. Once through and in the desolate landscape, he took a moment to catch his breath and collect his thoughts.

As Leorio ventured further into the desolate landscape, a glimmer of hope appeared in his mind, the possibility that he would not have to continue this perilous journey. Although he felt a sense of relief, a small flicker of fear remained at the thought of what might happen if the mayor discovered a real tree in Thneedville. The consequences could be dire, both for himself and for the town itself.

As Leorio approached the small shack like home, he decided to push aside the worries and focused on the task at hand. Upon reaching the building, he shouted, "I'm back! Now tell me the whole story! the entire government is after me now!"

Illumi, also known as the Onceler, emerged from the window like a stealthy insect, his slender figure illuminated slightly by the moon. He regarded Leorio with a blank expression, seemingly unaffected by the urgency in Leorio's voice.

As Leorio stood before the Onceler, the impatient tone in his voice was evident. "Yes, I'm back," he confirmed. "And the mayor is definitely hunting me down now, so can we wrap this up already?"

The Onceler took a moment to recall where he was in the story before proceeding. "Right, where was I again?" he paused, thoughtfully, before continuing. Leorio responded in a dry tone, "You were talking about... sleeping with the Lorax, who is also known as Hisoka?"

The Onceler nodded in agreement, a sly smile on his face. "Ah, yes," he began, "that's correct. I was talking about how the Lorax, came to visit me one night, and we... well, you know."

Leorio rolled his eyes, he had heard this part of the story before. "Yeah, yeah, I know," he interjected impatiently. "Can we move on now?"

———— ✦

The Onceler chuckled as he continued his story, his voice tinged with slight annoyance. "Yes, some time had passed, and I had made my first prototype thneed." He paused, recollecting the memory.

Hisoka came up to me after I had finished, and he wasn't exactly impressed. "Is this really a thneed?" he had said, "It seems quite useless. Can't believe you chopped up one of my precious trees for this." He shook his head in disbelief.

The Onceler tried to defend his creation, "Oh, come on, Hisoka! It's great for anything you need it for. Just look at all the different uses!" He attempted to demonstrate the various applications of the thneed, gesturing widely. "See? There are endless possibilities!"

The Onceler sighed, disheartened by Hisoka's continued disapproval. "Even after all the uses I showed him, Hisoka still didn't seem to like it," he shared. "So I decided to take my thneed out of the forest and into the world, to finally showcase and sell my creation. The thneed was soon to be discovered by the public!"

The Onceler recalled the farewell exchange with Hisoka before he left the forest. "Hisoka did stop by before I left," he said, a hint of annoyance in his voice. "But he didn't have anything nice to say. He just said, 'Good luck, Illumi. You're gonna need it.' Then he started chuckling like an idiot. What a weird guy."

Illumi continued his story, a determined look in his eyes. "I wasn't going to let that clown get to me," he stated firmly. "So I just kept walking, ignoring Hisoka's weird behavior."

The Onceler's voice grew somber as he continued his tale. "Days and days passed while I traveled, trying to sell my thneed, but it seemed like no one was interested," he explained. "People just weren't seeing the potential use for my creation, and it was becoming increasingly discouraging."

The Onceler's expression turned defeated as he recounted the disheartening moment. "Eventually, I started to listen to my parent's skepticism," he confessed, "they told me I'd never become famous for my invention. I couldn't handle the negativity anymore, so I just chose to discard my thneed and threw it away in the nearby trash can."

The Onceler suddenly perked up, recalling the unexpected event from that day. "But something magical happened that day," he began, a note of excitement in his voice. "It was a windy day, and my discarded thneed was blowing in the air. It landed on someone's head, like a perfect little hat!"

Illumi's anxiety faded as he continued his story, "I braced myself, expecting the person to react negatively, just like the others before. But instead, the woman just stared at the thneed in pure amazement!"

Despite the woman's positive reaction, the Onceler still couldn't help but feel a sense of caution. "Even though it seemed like the woman liked my thneed," he explained, "I was still worried she might become angry. So I quickly grabbed my stuff and ran back to the safety of the forest."

The Onceler returned to the safety of the forest, and Hisoka looked up at him with disappointment. "I'm back!" he called out. "Hisoka immediately knew I hadn't sold any thneeds, and he gave me a disapproving look."

Hisoka taunted the Onceler with a condescending tone, "Oh boo hoo! Looks like I was right about your creation being terrible, my dear." He didn't even look up from the game he was playing with Killua and Gon, his two little bear cub friends.

The Two little bear cubs, Killua and Gon, couldn't hold back their amusement at Hisoka's remarks. They giggled uncontrollably, while the Onceler just rolled his eyes at Hisoka's obnoxious behavior.

Their exchange was suddenly interrupted by a loud thumping sound. Everyone turned their attention to the hill, where thousands of people were descending towards the forest. Confused, the Onceler exclaimed, "What in the world...?"

The Onceler couldn't believe what was happening - thousands of people were going crazy to buy his thneeds! It was like a dream come true, and he would finally be rich. But as he thought about it, a problem emerged in his mind.

The Onceler's face fell as he realized the predicament. The crowd was demanding more thneeds, but he would have to cut down more trees to meet their demand. He didn't want to disappoint Hisoka, although it seemed odd to care about his opinion. But the Onceler knew he had no choice, the people needed their thneeds.

The throngs of people kept coming, eager to get their thneeds. They pestered the Onceler with questions about when their orders would be ready. The Onceler quickly assured them that the thneeds were currently available for pre-order only, trying to manage their expectations.

The Onceler approached Hisoka nervously, desperation edging his voice. "Hisoka," he began, "you said I couldn't cut any more trees, but I need your help. This is my dream, my goal! Please, you have to help me!"

Hisoka merely let out a sigh in response, his expression serious. "Well, if you're determined to cut more trees, go ahead," he said. "But remember, there will be consequences to your actions."

Caught up in the moment, the naive and impulsive young Onceler ignored Hisoka's warning. His mind clouded by excitement and shortsightedness, he made the decision to cut more trees to satisfy the ever growing demand for thneeds.

In a moment of impulsivity, the Onceler called his family for assistance, despite their rude demeanor. However, their involvement helped him sell even more thneeds. With the increased profits, he was able to establish his own workshop to further ramp up production.

The Onceler's workshop indeed grew impressively large, like Hisoka's generous ass. As the success and popularity of thneeds skyrocketed, a sense of selfishness crept into the Onceler's nature.

Various animal friends would frequently approach the Onceler, hoping to enjoy some lighthearted playtime. However, the Onceler, having become increasingly self absorbed, consistently declined their invitations, his mind fixated on the overwhelming success and popularity of thneeds.

The Onceler's business empire blossomed, and the variety of thneed products available grew exponentially.

From cozy thneed blankets to fashionable thneed scarfs, the selection seemed endless, fueling the Onceler's newfound fame and wealth.

The relentless cycle of cutting trees and producing thneeds continued for months, and eventually, the Onceler noticed a saddening reality. He had become all alone, isolated from any genuine human connection, not even his family cared to see him anymore. "Of course I knew why, my personality was the problem, but i I care! I had all of the people and money I needed, that's all I cared about. I was very greedy at this point," Illumi spat out.

Peering out of the window of his lofty workshop, the Onceler surveyed the desolated world before him. The once lush and vibrant surroundings had been transformed into a gray and gloomy desert. Broken tree stumps scattered across the empty landscape, a grim reminder of the things he did when he was fueled with his greed.

The Onceler was lost in his thoughts, wallowing in the bleakness he had brought upon the world, until he noticed the unexpected presence of Hisoka. The man had entered the Onceler's office, a serious expression on his face, signaling that he had something important to say.

Hisoka's voice filled the room, seething with frustration and disappointment. "I warned you, didn't I? I told you that your actions would have consequences. But you chose to ignore my advice!" The anger in his tone was palpable, especially as he addressed the Onceler by his given name, "Illumi!"

With a weary sigh, Hisoka announced his departure, "I have to leave now, there's no longer any trace of pollution here, and as the Lorax, I'm actually at risk of dying, along with everyone else. You've become a true monster, Illumi."

With a quick, almost comical gesture, Hisoka grabbed his ass and swiftly leaped up, disappearing out the window and into the sky. The Onceler was left alone once more, the weight of his doings slowly setting in.

In the wake of Hisoka's departure, the Onceler noticed a small, solitary seed and a tiny, crumpled piece of paper resting on his desk. Carefully, he unfolded the paper and read the brief instruction scrawled upon it: Find the Chosen One.

✦ ————

Leorio couldn't help but express his surprise at the Onceler's former actions. "You were kind of evil back then, and not to mention rude as hell," he mumbled, trying to phrase it as kindly as possible.

The Onceler, now known more simply as Illumi, simply responded with a touch of defensiveness, "Well yeah, but there were valuable lessons. Actually, two of them!"

Illumi, the Onceler, approached Leorio and continued, "So, the first lesson you can take from my story is that trees, grass, flowers, and all that other nature stuff is extremely important for the Earth and all living things!"

Illumi continued, his tone taking a thoughtful turn. "And secondly, you should remember that being greedy and selfish is absolutely terrible. Never let those traits take control of you."

Leorio listened intently, his eyes widening at the wisdom being imparted. Yet, there was a hint of sadness in his gaze, the weight of the Onceler's tale sinking in.

Leorio explained his motives, a mixture of hope and a touch of guilt in his voice. "The truth is, I wanted a real tree seed because I wanted to impress my crush," he confessed. "I know it was a bit selfish, but after hearing about your story, I really understand now just how terrible it is to be greedy."

With determination, Leorio added, "Now Mayor Tonpa will hopefully realize what truly matters!"

The longer haired man couldn't help but roll his eyes at Leorio's cliche demeanor. With a hint of sarcasm, he responded, "Yeah, yeah, just do the right thing, and hey, you might get your crush in the process."

Illumi, with a swift motion, removed his hat and tossed something at Leorio. "Take the seed and plant it in some soil, water it properly," he instructed, shooing Leorio away. "Now go!"

Leorio grinned widely and carefully placed the seed inside his bag, carefully securing it. He was filled with renewed determination and a sense of purpose.

The tall man turned back to Illumi with a wide smile, brimming with confidence. "Don't worry, Illumi! I'll plant that seed so deep into the soil, I bet even you'll be able to feel it!" With a nod, he hopped onto his bike and prepared to pedal off into the distance.

Leorio glanced at his watch, only now realizing just how much time had passed. To his surprise, it was still early in the morning! He could only imagine his grandma and mom might already be up, enjoying their breakfast.

With a sense of urgency, Leorio pedaled swiftly back to Thneedville, to avoid getting spotted. Meanwhile, Illumi sat watching him from afar, observing his every move. A gentle smile tugged at Illumi's lips, maybe there was hope for this world after all.

Leorio navigated through the bustling town as it came to life for the day. He needed to blend in discreetly, avoiding being seen by the ever-present cameras. Ducking, weaving, and mimicking the movements of the people around him, he fought to stay unnoticed as he headed home.

Leorio arrived home, panting heavily from his frantic ride through the town. He burst through the door and yelled out, "Grandma Bisky! Mom! I got the last seed, I got the last real seed!"

The commotion caused a stir in the household, with Bisky and Leorio's mother emerging from their rooms, startled by his sudden entrance. Bisky looked at him with a mixture of surprise and concern, her eyes widening as she took in his disheveled appearance and the excitement in his voice.

Leorio had just started to catch his breath when he heard a threatening voice behind him. "Get him!" he turned around to find Mayor Tonpa and two of his bodyguards confronting him. Panic shot through him as he realized he had been found out.

The two bodyguards quickly sprang into action, immediately giving chase after Leorio. Their heavy footfalls echoed in the hallway as they went after him with swift, determined strides.

Leorio's adrenaline kicked into overdrive, and he quickly mounted his bike. He pushed off hard, putting all his strength and speed into pedaling as he tried to escape the bodyguards.

As Leorio frantically looked around for a place to hide, he spotted a familiar figure walking through the town, someone with distinctive blonde hair. With no time to spare, Leorio quickly pedaled towards the unsuspecting person, hoping for a chance at escape.

"Kurapika!" Leorio shouted urgently. "Hop on, hurry!" Startled, Kurapika quickly assessed the situation and noticed Mayor Tonpa and his bodyguards rapidly approaching. "Who the heck is chasing you? Is that Mayor Tonpa?" he asked, his eyes widening as he saw the mayor and his bodyguards closing in on Leorio.

Leorio held the seed in his hands, desperation in his voice. "It's for you, Kurapika!" he exclaimed. "But we have to hurry and plant it, and we can't let Tonpa catch us! He'll destroy the seed for sure!"

Kurapika was struck by a mix of emotions, his eyes widening in both fear and happiness. With a determined nod, he clambered onto the bike, his chest pressed against Leorio's back as he clung to him tightly.

With Mayor Tonpa and the bodyguards in hot pursuit, Leorio quickly snapped out of any momentary joy he may have felt from having Kurapika pressed against him. He focused all his energy on pedaling, determined to outpace their pursuers and lose them in the maze of Thneedville's streets.

Kurapika, adrenaline pumping, pointed ahead. "Look! I heard there's real soil underneath there!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and hope.

He glanced over in the direction Kurapika pointed and paled as he realized what it was, the town square, covered in artificial grass and featuring a massive statue of Mayor Tonpa in the center.

Leorio pedaled quickly towards the town square and dismounted from his bike with urgency, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew Mayor Tonpa would soon catch up to them, and they had to work fast.

Leorio quickly found a shovel and started digging, swiftly ripping up the fake grass to expose the real grass beneath. His movements were purposeful, fueled by a mix of desperation and determination.

Leorio handed the seed to Kurapika, his voice filled with urgency. "Hold this," he instructed. "Make sure no one gets it. I'll dig up more soil for the seed!"

Kurapika nodded in understanding until a loud sound echoed behind him, the booming voice of Mayor Tonpa, interrupting the quiet chaos.

"Leorio! You will not do this!" Tonpa's thunderous statement sent a shockwave through the square, causing others around to turn and stare in shock.

The commotion had drawn a gathering of townspeople, their curiosity piqued by the unfolding drama. With their gazes fixed on the scene unfolding before them, the people of Thneedville gathered around, eager to witness the confrontation between Mayor Tonpa and Leorio.

A young child in the crowd spotted the seed clutched in Kurapika's grasp and gasped in surprise. "Whoa, what is that!" the kid exclaimed, his eyes widening in wonder.

Kurapika spoke up, holding the seed aloft for all to see. "This is a real seed," he proclaimed, "and the mayor wants to get rid of it!" The people of Thneedville listened intently, their eyes shifting between Kurapika and the seed. "We need to get rid of him," Kurapika continued, "and begin a new life with fresh air and health, not greed and money."

The crowd exchanged glances, and Tonpa, exasperated, prepared to charge towards Kurapika.

As Tonpa charged towards Kurapika with a furious determination, Leorio was in the middle of digging, desperately trying to unearth more real soil for the seed. Sweat poured down his face as he worked feverishly, the weight of the moment heavy upon him.

But just as Tonpa was about to reach Kurapika, a young child stepped forward bravely, positioning himself in front of Kurapika as a human shield.

Soon, other townsfolk also stepped in, creating a protective barrier between Tonpa and Kurapika with the seed.

The townsfolk's collective response, a resounding "No!", echoed through the square as they formed a protective wall between Kurapika and Tonpa. Leorio seized the opportunity, snatching the seed from Kurapika's grasp and swiftly planting it in the new soil he had hurriedly dug up.

As soon as the seed was planted, it began to grow at an astonishing pace. Within moments, it had already sprouted and sent out tender green shoots, drinking in the water that Leorio had sprinkled upon it.

All eyes were drawn to the growing seedling, and expressions of shock adorned the faces of the people witnessing this miracle.

Even the two bodyguards who had been chasing Leorio moments before seized Mayor Tonpa, their grips firm and resolute.

"Hey, hey! What are you doing?" Mayor Tonpa exclaimed, struggling against the tight grip of the two guards. "You can't do this! I'm innocent!" But the guard's response was stern and clear. "We're taking you to jail," he declared. "You rip off everyone." Tonpa's desperate screams for help fell on deaf ears as the guards led him away, their hands securely holding him in place.

As Kurapika's eyes grew misty, tears streaming down his cheeks, he was overwhelmed with happiness. Overcome with joy, he impulsively threw himself at Leorio, leaning up to press a big kiss on his lips.

"I knew it!" Kurapika exclaimed, nuzzling against Leorio's chest, he smiled widely, his heart overflowing with joy at Kurapika's words.

"I knew it was you who would make the world better again. I love you!" Leorio's smile grew even wider as he looked down at Kurapika, his voice filled with tenderness. "Oh Kurapika, I love you too," he replied, wrapping his arms tightly around him.

The entire town, hand in hand, gathered around the growing tree, a symbol of the new beginning for Thneedville. With hearts full of hope and anticipation, they all joined in unison, their voices rising together in song. The air was filled with a sense of optimism and a shared vision for a brighter, greener future.

A year had flown by since the day that changed Thneedville forever.

Gone were the artificial streets and fake trees, instead, the town was now a vibrant haven filled with lush greenery. Trees, plants, and flowers of every color and size grew in abundance, transforming the once barren landscape into a true oasis of nature's beauty. Everywhere you looked, it was a feast for the eyes, a delightful sight to behold.

Leorio and Kurapika, once just friends, had grown closer than ever before. After the life changing events of the past year, their bond had deepened into something stronger. They were now officially a couple, as the whole town could see.

Leorio and Kurapika stood side by side on the balcony of Leorio's home, their hands intertwined. They gazed out at the transformed world that lay before them. Instead of the sterile, artificial environment that once existed, they now saw a landscape where nature thrived, the air was fresh, and trees swayed gently in the breeze.

The wind rustled through their hair as they shared a comfortable silence, both feeling a sense of peace and contentment in their hearts.

In the distance, the Onceler's home was visible, and the sight of it caused both Leorio and Kurapika to pause. Once barren and desolate, the land surrounding the home was now vibrant with life, its surface blanketed in a carpet of lush grass and tall, healthy trees. There was a noticeable improvement in the environment compared to the previous state Leorio had witnessed.

Illumi stepped out into the yard, a small smile gracing his face as he began to tend to the greenery, his actions spoke of a newfound contentment.

The sight of Illumi engaged in such simple, yet tranquil, outdoor tasks contrasted starkly with the cold demeanor he once portrayed.

Illumi, tending to the yard, suddenly heard a noise above him. He looked up to find a familiar figure descending from the sky, his ass exposed in a rather peculiar fashion.

It was the Lorax, returning to Thneedville after all this time. Upon spotting the Lorax, Illumi hastily made his way over, a mix of surprise and anticipation in his steps.

"Oh wow!" Hisoka, the Lorax, exclaimed, approaching Illumi. "You actually did it! It took much longer than expected!" Illumi, his expressions still stoic, simply responded with an eye roll, not one to express outwardly how he was feeling. Hisoka, appreciating Illumi's efforts, added, "I'm proud of you."

Hisoka's smirk widened as he announced, "Yeah, I guess you did. And now it looks like I'll be staying with you."

Illumi's eyes widened in surprise, his expression now showing a hint of annoyance. "Wait, what?" he exclaimed, clearly not expecting this turn of events.

Over time, the strange pairing of Hisoka and Illumi became an inseparable duo in their newly green and thriving Thneedville. While their personalities remained as contrasting as ever, they found comfort in each other's company. The sound of their playful banter and shared laughter would often echo through the quiet evenings.

And who knows? Perhaps one day, this unlikely pair would discover that their feelings for each other had grown beyond just friendship. But for now, they were content with the bond they had formed, surrounded by the trees they had fought to protect.

——ㆍ⋆ ˚｡⋆୨ 🍑 ୧⋆ ˚｡⋆ㆍ——

the end!

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A/N : hello! on 9/15/24 i've re-wrote this! sorry if it's all over the place still!

i actually haven't seen the lorax movie in forever.